Never Smile at the Crocodile. Never Take a break with the Rattlesnake. Never Warm to the Wolves.
After all, we be brethren. Gen.13 8.
So says J Bennett, an editor of Precious Seed, He wrote,
“If there is one thing that has marred the testimony of the Lord’s people down through time it is the problem of personalities. Even a matter that involves the neglect or abandonment of a fundamental principle can and should be resolved without compromise, yet amicably, where there is a willingness to deal with it according to scripture and in the light of the fact that we are brethren and sisters in Christ. Yet, sadly, we persist in doing the adversary’s work by dividing brother from brother and assembly from assembly. The individual testimony is harmed or lost and the collective testimony is weakened or marred.”—Precious Seed; Nov. 2011; p.1
The term ‘Collective Testimony’ indicates that it is not the brethren comprising the body of Christ who are in view. It is The Brethren who are being considered.
I have many brethren, scattered throughout many denominations. Some of these have been a great blessing and encouragement to me over more than half a century. Alas, I do not feel free to join every one of them where they are, but I do love them.
I am surrounded by many of The Brethren and some of them are apostate. This is evident from their false doctrines and bad life style.
One of “my Brethren” believed the Lord was capable of any sin. J Bennett would have me sit down with the man and amicably deal with it. The Scripture tells me, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. Romans 16: 17.
The doctrine I learned concerning Christ is that He is eternally sinless. The Scripture commands me to avoid those who cause divisions and offences by denying the impeccability of Christ. I infer from J Bennett that if I withdraw and urge others to do the same I, and not this blaspheming man, am harming the testimony.
J Bennett, is speaking of harm to “the collective testimony” and here he reveals his motive.
This collective testimony is Brethrenism. Any manner of foul doctrines of devils must be entertained rather than weaken Brethrenism.
J Bennett also writes,
Are we quick to ‘write off’ our brethren and sisters? Do we criticize them publicly, or pray for them privately, and with deep conviction of soul?
Oh dear! The Apostle is in trouble again. He wrote, But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. Gal. 2: 11.
Paul let believers know for all time that Peter was in error. They needed to know.
When one in fellowship publicly commits error by false teaching, or evil practice,it must be exposed for the sake of the flock. If it is a private issue and does not directly concern the flock, then we do not make it a public issue. In this J Bennett again flies in the face of Scripture
Another Scripture to consider is this:
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderely, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 2 Thes. 3: 6
Paul is urging brethren to separate from one another. J Bennett is opposed to this Scripture.
Then we have:
If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to holiness;….from such withdraw thyself. 1 Tim. 6: 3-5.
Those who preach the “collective testimony” of Brethrenism will not even acknowledge there are such false people within their fold. Those spoken of by Jude could never creep unawares into a Gospel Hall. They just walk in boldly.
So must we NOT contend earnestly for the faith? No, says JB. This just divides brother from brother.
The Lord said, Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay, but rather division.
We are aware that doctrine divides. For this reason there is less and less appeal to Scripture. JB regards those who contend as troublemakers.
JB portrays the Lord as willing to overlook sin. Quote:
We find him weeping over Jerusalem, Luke 19:41.’ Love suffers long and is kind’, 1 Cor. 13: 4 NKJV [note the perversion of Scripture in this false translation-RS] This is unconditional love!
This last statement is wilfully misleading. Love does not ignore wickedness and wilful rebellion. Love to Christ will demand a firm and public stand against all evil.
An unwillingness to deal with error is the product of Neo-Evangelism. The result is the Brethren Movement is home for every fowl of the air. It is not only false teaching which is tolerated, but immorality also.
Pride also destroys obedience to the Scriptures.
Paul criticized the church at Corinth for their unwillingness to deal with error in their midst. It was serious immorality but the believers at Corinth regarded themselves as so spiritual, so understanding, so loving, they did not need to deal with it. Perhaps they were seeking to come to an “amicable” arrangement?
This Precious Seed editorial echoes the words written by the heretic F F Bruce in the Harvester May 1974. He wrote:
What Has been readers’ experience of the opportunity for Christian charity presented in a local church situation where a minority holds beliefs or engages in practices which the majority does not share —e.g. where a minority holds or practices household baptism or speaking in tongues or the public ministry of sisters? Does such a situation provoke division, or (as one might expect among Christians) toleration and brotherly love?
. Beware of the Neo-Evangelism and liberalism of Precious Seed. This journal also promotes Ecumenism and leads us back into Bruce’s mish-mash of error. See Bible Bytes, inside back cover of issue under discussion.
(Amongst Bruce’s heresies was the denial of a real hell.)